News Japan government back to promoting nuclear energy

[thomas]

Yesterday, the Japanese government adopted a plan to extend the lifespan of nuclear reactors, replace the old and even build new ones, a significant shift in a country scarred by the Fukushima disaster that once planned to phase out atomic power. It decided to allow nuclear reactors to operate beyond their current limit of 60 years, also planning to raise about 20 trillion JPY (USD152 billion) through issuing "green transformation" bonds to boost investment in decarbonization projects, as it estimates that public and private investment of over 150 trillion JPY will be necessary over the next ten years.

After public sentiment turned sour on nuclear power following a nuclear disaster in March 2011 triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami, the government repeatedly said it was not considering building new nuclear reactors or replacing existing ones. But the war in Ukraine has driven energy prices sharply higher and threatened stable energy supplies for Japan, a resource-scarce country that relies heavily on fossil fuel imports, prompting officials to look into greater use of nuclear power. The government aims to submit the relevant bills to implement the new policy to an ordinary parliamentary session that will convene early next year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a meeting focused on achieving the country's green transformation. Green transformation is an initiative to transform the economy based on fossil fuels into one centered on cleaner energy, such as solar and wind power.

Japan to extend 60-yr nuclear reactor life, build advanced reactors - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan decided Thursday to allow nuclear reactors to operate beyond their current limit of 60 years and replace aging facilities with

mainichi.jp

Coincidentally, on Tuesday, the Osaka District Court rejected a request by residents for a temporary injunction on operations at the ageing No. 3 reactor of the Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture .

Nine residents of Kyoto, Fukui and Shiga prefectures submitted the lawsuit seeking the temporary injunction on the grounds the risk of a major accident at the reactor had increased because of the more than four decades the plant has been in use. In June 2021, the reactor became the first more than 40 years old to resume operations after the 2011 triple meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The plaintiffs also argued that a fault directly under the plant as well as in the vicinity of the plant site created the possibility of the foundation under the plant shifting. Noting the many nuclear plants in Fukui Prefecture, the plaintiffs also argued that Kansai Electric Power Co.'s evacuation plan for the Mihama plant was inadequate and did not consider the possibility of simultaneous accidents at the other plants.

Court rejects injunction on operations at aged nuke plant | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Back to square one.

 

[Majestic]

Fukushima had the paradoxical effect of turning me away from being an anti-nuclear person, into a cautiously accepting person. I think it is inevitable that nuclear power will become a bigger part of the world's energy production. Its a difficult political decision, because nuclear accidents are spectacular, while mortality from fossil fuels are higher but less spectacular.

 

[Petaris]

Fukushima had the paradoxical effect of turning me away from being an anti-nuclear person, into a cautiously accepting person. I think it is inevitable that nuclear power will become a bigger part of the world's energy production. Its a difficult political decision, because nuclear accidents are spectacular, while mortality from fossil fuels are higher but less spectacular.

I'm still against it. Its touted as cleaner than oil, gas, and coal. For air pollutants that is, I'm sure, true. However my concern is the every increasing stockpile of spent fuel rods and other radioactive byproducts. There is still no good solution for them.

I have been pleasantly surprised that wind, solar, and geothermal have really gained in the percentage of grid power being provided. And of course fusion will probably be a great boon too....in 20 years or so.

Between the increases in energy efficiency of household energy users and the increase in energy generation efficiency in renewable/green sources things are getting better. Lets hope they continue to do so!

 

[johnnyG]

adopted a plan to extend the lifespan of nuclear reactors

I realize new ones are expensive, and take forever to build and come online, but it's this aspect, more than any other, that concerns me. I would ask that the old ones not be driven to the point of failure.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I always thought if we could secretly dump the nuke waste on North Korean military bases , be a good way to be rid of it.

 

[thomas]

Anyhow, new opportunities in the job market seem to arise...

'Big challenges': choosing a nuclear career in Japan, HR News, ETHRWorld

It's a welcome development for some young professionals, who have experienced the stigma sometimes associated with their job.

hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Can't think of nuke power without all the Homer jokes about his job.